Drew Campbell, senior editor, Institutional Investing in Infrastructure, recently spoke with Henri Blas, chief content officer, Global Infrastructure Hub.

Why do governments need investment data when it comes to infrastructure?

Quality data are the bedrock of all good infrastructure decisions, including investment decisions. For governments, lack of good data on how investment is directed and is performing can limit policy recommendations that could drive more and better investment. Inadequate data can also contribute to misallocation of scarce fiscal resources toward projects that carry low value for money or even have negative impacts on the economy, environment, or community.

Lack of data and poor-quality data can be even more damaging in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). In EMDEs, investment in projects tha